Rector's Rambling - October 9, 2011

It is always good to be home, especially after over 3 weeks away. Thank you all for your prayers as we had a detour with Andrew’s emergency appendectomy in Mexico.
Now that we are back I look forward to seeing all the progress that has been made in the return of our many ministries that got up and going in my absence. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew has already met twice, the Daughters of the King once, the St. Catherine’s guild of the Episcopal Church women have met, and a social fellowship outing has occurred to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford house. And of course, Sunday School and Adult Education are underway again. I hope that if you have not plugged yourself into one of these groups/ministries, you will do so soon!
In the next few weeks, we have some other events planned. Homecoming is October 23rd, All Saints Sunday is November 6th, and another Social Fellowship outing or two are planned for the coming weeks. Also, let us not forget about the big goings-on here at St. John’s for Thanksgiving!
Looking even longer term, I hope that we will soon have Small Group ministries up and meeting in people’s homes. The Alpha Course begins again next winter, and a confirmation preparation class will be held during Lent in anticipation of the Bishop’s official visit to St. John’s in June.
All of the above, of course, must have its foundation in everyone’s coming to Church on Sundays, seeking to do God’s will in becoming holy through prayer, scripture study, selfless service, and reception of the Sacraments. We are called to be a holy people for our Holy God…and he has accomplished the hardest part of the work for us on the Cross!
It is wonderful to be back. I imagine it will take a day or two to get through my pile of mail and e-mails before things get back to normal (as normal as a priest’s schedule gets). So please be patient with me if it takes me a few days to get to back to you.